FCC Extends Deadline for Complying with Foreign Sponsorship ID Rules

Last year (June 2024), the FCC adopted a new rule requiring disclosure of programming provided by foreign governments or their agents.  Stations are required to identify and disclose the foreign source of programming.  There was also an obligation placed on stations to inquire into the source of programming that is sponsored by a foreign government agency or its agent.  In addition, the FCC Rule expanded the type of programming covered by the foreign sponsorship ID rule to include issue advertisements and paid PSAs.

The rule was to go into effect on December 8^th.  However, the FCC just released a Public Notice stating that the deadline for complying with the new foreign sponsorship identification rules was extended until June 7, 2026.  The FCC’s Media Bureau stated:

“However, the Bureau deferred requiring compliance with the revised rules under 47 CFR § 73.1212(j)(3) for 6 months, or until December 8, 2025.  With this Public Notice, the Bureau further defers requiring compliance with the revised rules until 6 months after December 8, 2025, or June 7, 2026.  Only new leases and renewals of existing leases entered into on or after the compliance date must comply with the rule modifications.”

Stations accepting paid programs and advertisements from foreign governments or their agents should examine the rule carefully.  This would apply to content paid programming supplied by Canada.

You can see the Media Bureaus Public Notice delaying the compliance date here.

You can see the FCC’s decision establishing the new foreign sponsorship ID rules here.